lokaSanskrit “world”in Hindu cosmography“world”in the cosmography of Hinduism, the universe or any particular division of it. The most common division of the universe is the tri-loka, or three worlds (heaven, earth, atmosphere; later, heaven, world, nether-world). Each of the tri-lokas is again netherworld), each of which is divided into seven regions, variously described and listed depending upon the source. Sometimes , instead of the tri-loka,14 worlds are enumerated: 7 above earth and 7 below. Whatever the division, it illustrates a basic The various divisions illustrate the Hindu concept , that of innumerable hierarchically ordered worlds. Lokas are often associated with particular divinities, a linkage that is also found in Buddhism, with the deities replaced by buddhas or bodhisattvas.